Rudyard Kipling 229 midst of keenest pleasure. They know this pain equally who have forsaken or been forsaken by the love of their life, and in their new wives’ arms are compelled to realize it. It is better to remain alone and suffer only the misery of being alone, so long as it is possible to find distraction in daily work. When that resource goes the man is to be pitied and left alone. These things and some others Dick considered while he was holding Bessie to his heart. “Though you mayn’t know it,” he said, raising his head, “the Lord is a just and a terrible God, Bess; with a very strong sense of humor. It serves me right — how it serves me right! Torp could understand it if he were here; he must have suffered something at your hands, child, but only for a minute or so. I saved him. Set that to my credit, some one.” “Let me go,” said Bess, her face darkening. “Let me go.” “All in good time. Did you ever attend Sunday school?” “Never. Let me go, I tell you; you’re making fun of me.” “Indeed, ’'m not. I’m making fun of myself... . Thus. ‘He saved others, himself he cannot save.’ It isn’t exactly a school-board text.” He released her wrist, but since he was between her and the door, she could not escape. “What an enormous amount of mischief one little woman can do!” “I’m sorry; I’m awful sorry about the picture.” “I’m not. I’m grateful to you for spoiling it... . What were we talking about before you mentioned the thing?” “About getting away — and money. Me and you going away.” “Of course. We will get away — that is to say, I will.” “And me?”